Nine-track self-titled album features the band’s captivating, dream-like sound
Kind: Psychedelic rock
On a playlist with: Foxygen, Yot Club and Tame Impala
Psychedelic rock band The Brandy Alexanders released their eponymous debut album after the debut of their first three singles. The Ontario-based band is led by brothers Alexander and Daniel Dick, the first of whom founded the band in 2016. The band also features lead guitarist Sean Shepherd, bassist Zack Vivier and drummer Robbie Cervi.
The band’s name comes from the infamous cocktail that led to John Lennon’s “”lost weekend“, where he got so drunk that he was kicked out of the famous rock club Troubadour along with his drinking partner Harry Nilsson.
“That’s what we’ll call ourselves,” Daniel Dick recalled as he told the group, “The Brandy Alexanders!”
The Brandy Alexanders’ instrumental style is heavily influenced by that of Tame Impala and the Stones.
The group worked on the nine-track album throughout the pandemic, eventually releasing it to the public on December 10. The album contains their three songs. “Ceiling fan, man” “Shiram” and “Conventional lie” all of which feature the band’s signature blend of folk-rock instruments and existential lyrics. The album also unveils six new tracks, all of which showcase the band’s versatile writing style. From synth-pop beats to epic rock ballads, the Brandy Alexanders play it all.
The album begins with the band’s first song, “Ceiling Fan, Man”. The opening riff is reminiscent of the slow and strong melodies of the lead guitar of Tame Impala’s song. “Because I am a man” from his album “Currents”. The Brandy Alexanders’ instrumental style is heavily influenced by that of Tame Impala and The Stones, an ethereal musical element that is constantly present throughout the album.
The song “Conventional Lie”, their most recent single before the album, was the seventh track featured on “The Brandy Alexanders”. The melancholy song confronts the listener with heavier themes, warning of the dangers of blind beliefs and misconceptions. The first two lines of the chorus ask the listener, “Does this put you to sleep or put you in a better state of mind?”
Although this is a new release, “Conventional Lie” was written in 2012. Versions of the song made appearances at their concerts, but the track was only released on November 3 of that year. year.
“The track has changed a lot over the years,” said Daniel Dick. “We really consolidated it a couple of years ago. “
The Brandy Alexanders’ favorite song on their recent album is their closest to six minutes, “Spaceopus”. The rock ballad incorporates guitar riffs that echo those of Blue Oyster Cult while brandishing the band’s talent with dominant instrumentals. The track includes several guitar and keyboard solos, and it leaves the album to an intriguing end with its last 30 seconds of unorganized sound.
“The album was primarily influenced by the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the psychedelic sound of The Beatles.” Daniel Dick, singer of the Brandy Alexanders
Although the ballad is less lyrical than the other songs on the album, it still has a narrative. Reflecting on the writing process, Daniel Dick laughed and said, “We just opened a textbook of European history and chose a story. The story turned out to be “King Leopold’s Ghost,” a famous Congolese story that epitomizes the greatness of the album finale.
As for the other tracks on the album, The Brandy Alexanders revealed that they sound a bit heavier, with stronger chord progressions and more melancholy lyrics. Their psychedelic folk-rock style, combined with the variety of themes throughout their songs, produces a unique and diverse listening experience that also pays homage to many different eras and musical icons.
“The album was primarily influenced by the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the psychedelic sound of The Beatles,” said Daniel Dick, reflecting on where the band drew inspiration from throughout the writing process.
The eponymous album and the Brandy Alexanders singles are available to listen to on Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iHeartRadio and Deezer.
The bottom line: The signature Brandy Alexanders sound is a wonderfully modern take on psychedelic rock, drawing inspiration from musical icons across the ages, from Tame Impala to the Beatles. Their new album is just the start of their musical journey.
The tops : “Ceiling fan, man,” “Conventional Lie” and “Spaceopus”
The valley: “Hey, why did you do that”
The verdict: 8/10
